Above Average
Ballentine successful as two-sport athlete, business student
From Athletics Spotlight - Fall 2017
Junior Corey Ballentine keeps one thing in mind when it comes to both academics and athletics – being better than average.
His hard work in the classroom and as a two-sport athlete has paid off. He receives athletic and academic scholarships, and he was honorable mention all-MIAA last year and academic all-MIAA three times.
“That’s why you come to school – for academics and to graduate. I feel like 3.0 is the average and I’m trying to stay above the average as a personal goal,” he said. “I don’t want to be average at anything.”
Ballentine is a defensive back on the football team and he competes in sprints on the track and field team. He’s studying general business but is taking more accounting and marketing classes – two things he enjoys. As he makes his way as a student and athlete, he knows that donors have his back with scholarship support.
“With all the time and effort I put into school and sports, it’s a blessing to get scholarships and take away some of the stresses,” he said. “I like to think I work hard and earned them. Obviously, I got them because other people think I work hard too.”
Whether athletic or academic scholarships, Ballentine appreciates what donors do to support student-athletes. This year, he was honored with an Advisors Excel/Innovation Design Group Scholarship.
“You keep me motivated to do better and keep on the track I’m on. You’re helping young students graduate and become productive members of the community. It’s better for Washburn and the community as a whole. I’m blessed there are people out there looking out for people like me.”